“Weak. Recovering.”
“Julia, the press is clamoring for answers from the Oval Office. President Brown is preparing to make a formal statement this evening at five o’clock Eastern Standard Time. Then, we’re flying to Alabama to meet with the victims’ families.”
Julia’s heart sank. “I’m sorry for putting you in this position, Mom. For interrupting your campaign.”
“None of this is your fault. We’re keeping you and Miguel out of it. Faith Stoker is spinning a suitable and convincing narrative as we speak. Justice, of course, is furious and frustrated that he’s not in control.”
Julia drew a deep breath. “Miguel and I aren’t abandoning this quest. Axis and Axalia and General Escobar need to be stopped.”
“I agree. You do what you must, and I’ll give you whatever support you need.”
“Thanks, Mom. I’ll be watching the press conference tonight.”
“Take care of yourself and Miguel.”
“Will do.”
Miguel was still sleeping soundly when Julia peeked in on him after her conversation with her mother. She returned to the laundry room, unloaded the dryer, and threw a pile of kids’ clothes into the washer. She carried the laundry basket up a level to the main floor and dumped the clean clothes onto the sofa. In the middle of folding them, the doorbell rang. She froze. Her heart slammed against her chest.
“Calm down,” she muttered. “General Escobar or Axis and Axalia aren’t going to ring the doorbell.”
As she rose to her feet, someone called out, “Julia? Miguel? It’s Special Agent in Charge, Jiena Hutchinson.”
Julia’s heart rate decelerated. “Coming!”
She pulled open the door and gazed with interest at David Hutchinson’s beautiful wife. Jiena wore a light gray pants suit.Her badge hung on a chain around her neck. Beneath her blazer, Julia noted her shoulder holster that housed a standard-issued 9 mm Glock. If the stories Julia had heard about Jiena were true, the FBI agent probably had a wicked knife strapped to her leg. Jiena’s dark hair hung in a sleek ponytail.
“SAC Hutchinson, it’s nice to finally meet you. Please come in.” Before Julia closed the door, she glanced warily up and down the street.
The agent noticed her apprehension. “No need to worry, Julia. We have eyes on Brielle 24/7. The Andersons and their ally General Escobar would be extremely foolish to come to Laguna Beach. You and Miguel taught them a powerful lesson.” Jiena smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, too, by the way.”
“Would you like something to drink? Water, iced tea, or lemonade?”
“Iced tea, please.”
Jiena followed Julia into the kitchen, where she poured two glasses of iced tea, and they slipped into chairs at the table.
“How is Miguel? Trey updated me.”
“Still recovering from being shot, and on top of that, dealing with Covid. He feels responsible for the…massacre at the hospital, and so do I.”
“You’re not. If you and Miguel hadn’t anticipated the attack and prepared for it, you and he might be victims, too.”
Julia’s heart constricted with cold fury. “We should have killed Axis and Axalia as soon as we surprised them at the safe house in Alabama.”
“But we didn’t because we’re not coldblooded killers,” Miguel declared in a raspy voice.
His presence startled them. They turned to see him leaning against the granite countertop.
“Miguel!” Julia exclaimed. “What are you doing out of bed?”
“I couldn’t lie there any longer.” When Jiena half-rose from her chair, probably intending to hug him, he held up a hand. “Don’t get too close to me. Covid.”
“I heard. I’m not afraid,” Jiena assured him, but she sat back down. “How are you feeling?”
“Better. And I’m ready to work on a strategy to get to the Andersons.”
MARCH 10
